Encouraging youth to accept Christ as Savior and to actively participate in God’s mission are primary tasks of pastors and church leaders. When youth and young adults have a strong foundation of faith, they would be aware of their God-given gifts and talents and better prepared to consider pursuing college education. The focus of this workshop is to understand the 3 elements of evangelism and the 3 elements of discipleship to develop a comprehensive ministry for and with youth in Northeast India. You would have opportunities to share unique experiences of doing youth ministry in your local settings. Investing in youth today would lead to vibrant and healthy local churches for tomorrow.
Goals: By the end of the workshop, participants will be able:
- To assist youth to make decisions for Christ by understanding the key elements of evangelism and discipleship with youth.
- To begin integrating youth in the life of the church as the younger laity.
- To envision the importance of youth having a growing mature faith when preparing them for college opportunities.
Notes taken mostly from Youth Ministry: Making and Shaping Disciples, Jeffrey D. Jones, Judson Press, 1986
Context
- The Mission of God
Youth ministry is God’s mission. Jesus’ final words to his disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt. 28:19-20).
Youth ministry is not ministry at all unless it is connected to the mission of God in the world. Whatever we do in our work with youth, it is fulfilling God’s mission.
Evangelism is part of the unfolding of the mission of God in the world. In evangelism we offer to youth the invitation to join in what God is doing in the world by becoming a part of this mission.
Discipleship is also linked to the mission of God. As the church equips disciples and then these disciples move into the world as bearers of Good News, the mission of God is served.
In youth ministry, we are linked to the eternal purpose of God through participation in the mission of God—cosmic dimension.
- The Individual
If the mission of God is the stage upon which the church does ministry with youth, then the youth to whom and with whom we minister are the key characters in the drama. These characters are individuals. Thus, our ministry must be based on an awareness of and sensitivity to their individuality. Each individual is unique.
Share my personal life journey. Growing up at FBC Boston, BYF, Pond Homestead Camp, Ocean Park
Invite the group to share their life journeys with others—in pairs, share one-to-one.
Each of our individual stories is different. They give us a sense of the unlimited ways in which God works in people and calls us to be as open as we can be in thinking about the life journeys of the youth with whom we minister.
Share the Life Journey diagram.
- A Framework
While there is an unlimitedness of God’s work and the infinite variety of individual faith experiences, there is still a basic framework for evangelism and discipleship with youth.
The framework of faith experience with the church is comprised of 6 words: evangelism, discipleship, commitment, nurture, conversion, and community.
- Community
We begin with one’s life journey but we don’t journey in isolation. We travel in the context of a variety of communities: family, friends, church family, etc. The faith experience begins when we have contact with the faith community. See Acts 2 when 3000 were baptized as a result of their contact with the small community of faith made up of Jesus’ followers—through Peter’s powerful sermon.
- Commitment
There is an initial faith commitment. For me, it happened in my youth group in Boston. The first commitment makes two statements: we state a belief—I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and secondly, we state the intention—I intend to live as Christ’s disciple in the world.
The initial faith commitment is a special point in the individual’s faith journey. It is also the point at which there is a change in the community of faith’s work with the person. Prior to the initial faith commitment the community is engaged in evangelism. Following the initial faith commitment, the community is engaged in discipleship with the believer.
- Evangelism
In evangelism the church reaches out to the person who has not yet made a commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The church is seeking to present the Gospel through what we say and do. We are attempting to enable individuals to grasp what life as a Christian involves—the gift of salvation and the call to discipleship.
- Discipleship
In discipleship the church ministers with those who have made a commitment to Jesus Christ. Discipleship is a lifelong task. We are always growing in our understanding of what our commitment to Christ means and how we can live out that commitment in our lives. We continue to the making further faith commitments.
For me: Being a conscientious objector, vegetarian, local church pastor
- Nurture
To do this we need help. Nurture is a gift of the community of faith. The church provides the caring, loving fellowship necessary to support the process of making ongoing commitments. Community members talk and share about acceptance, forgiveness, sinfulness and reconciliation, judgment and repentance. In doing so, the community “nurtures” the person with first-hand experiences.
- Conversion
God also enables the process of ongoing commitment in a very special way. That is, God converts. Conversion is the transformation of the person that leads to an ever-new life in Christ. It is a gift of God that enables persons to break away from human limitation and sinfulness to commit themselves to Christ, and continue to follow Christ as other decisions of faith are made. Conversion, because it is a gift of God, must remain somewhat of a mystery for us. But there are 3 qualities of conversion: greater personal integration, greater openness to others, and a deepened relationship with God.
- Personal Integration
“New being in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17)
“Mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ’s full stature” (Eph. 4:13) “Wholeness”
- Openness to Others
There is an openness and understanding of others and an increased desire and ability to serve others even as Christ served.
“Zacchaeus” giving half to the poor
“Jesus’ public act of ministry (Luke 4:18-19)
- Deepened Relationship with God
Our relationship with God grows more intense because we receive more. We yearn for more still.
“Day by day, day by day. O dear Lord, three things I pray: To see thee more clearly, To love thee more dearly, To follow thee more nearly, Day by day.
Conversion leaves us without understanding or explanation; it leaves us standing in awe and wonder at the grace of God. While commitment is a decision of an individual’s response to God, conversion is God’s gift to the person. Because the gift is from God, no decision on the part of the person can automatically bring conversion.
Therefore, conversion is not limited to an once-in-a-lifetime experience. It can happen throughout life as the person is prepared and as God gives the gift. For most people, there is one conversion experience that is somehow different from the others. There are subsequent gifts of conversion from God throughout a person’s life.
Therefore there are 2 gifts that undergird the person in the ongoing commitment process: nurture, the gift of the community of faith, and conversion, the gift of God.
While adolescent psychology, developmental readiness, methodology, values formation are all helpful tools for youth ministry, it is always with God that we begin.
Evangelism
In evangelism the church reaches out to youth who have not yet made a commitment to Jesus Christ. We seek to enable these youth to see the nature of their lives apart from Christ, to present the Gospel and the claims of Christ as Good News, and to encourage each of them to make a decision for Christ. Evangelism is the work of the church and not just the youth worker’s work.
What are the settings for youth ministry in your churches? In the US, the typical settings are: the youth group, the local congregation, and the wider fellowship of the church. Evangelism extends beyond youth already in the church to youth outside of the church as well.
Three key elements of Evangelism with Youth
- Presenting the Gospel
Paul’s speech before Areopagus (city council) in Athens (Acts 17:18)
Paul was preaching about Jesus and the resurrection and the authorities question him preaching about foreign gods (Acts 17:22-34)
Observations:
- Good News
“I see that in every way you…are very religious.” The gospel is good news and should be presented as such.
- Awareness of Youth
“To the unknown god.” This provided Paul with a point of contact for his message. For us, an awareness of and sensitivity to youth is essential as we present the gospel.
What are some of the issues youth face in NE India? (identity, peer relationships, safety, parents and family, cultural values, autonomy, meaning of life, vocational goals, etc.)
- Obligation to the Gospel
Paul proclaimed the Gospel and he proclaimed in boldly. Our obligation is not only to youth and their needs but also to the gospel and its message. We are obligated to present the full gospel and not compromise the truth.
- Word and Deed
We are called to share the gospel in both word and deed. Paul cared for Timothy, Onesimus and his commitment led to his imprisonment and death. Words need to be augmented by experience that confirms their validity. The gospel is presented to youth not only in what we say but also in what we do.
- Varied Responses
When Paul shared the Gospel, “some of them made fun of him, but others said, ‘We want to hear you speak about this again…Some…joined him and believed” (Acts 17:32). Paul himself did not have a 100% success rate but this did not stop him. Expect and accept varied responses, recognizing that these are not within your control. The issue of response to the gospel is always between an individual and God.
- Christ is the Center
From Athens, Paul went to Corinth when he said, “While I was with you, I made up my mind to forget everything except Jesus Christ and especially his death on the cross” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Christ is the essential center and focus of our message.
- Clarifying and Interpreting
Philip and the Ethiopian official (Acts 8:26-40). In clarifying and interpreting, we are continuing to present the gospel, but it is now in response to an interest that has been expressed such as in the Ethiopian’s question, “How can I understand unless someone explains it to me?” Most youth have a need to probe and question before taking the leap of faith.
- Unlikely Persons
Since the Ethiopian is a eunuch, a foreigner and unusual person, interest in learning more about the gospel may come from unlikely people.
- Availability
The Spirit spoke to Philip, telling him to be on that road so that he would see the Ethiopian. The Spirit speaks to us too—be available.
- Being with Youth
Philip got into the carriage with the Ethiopian to explain Isaiah to him.
Sitting alongside a person even as she or he continues to move along. Being with youth means physically and emotionally available to youth for that right time to happen.
- Letting Go
Letting go is giving space for youth to do her or his own clarifying and interpreting. Westerhoff calls this “searching faith.”
- Commitment
When Philip completed his interpretation of Isaiah, the chariot passed by some water and the Ethiopian asked, “Here is some water.” Youth who seeks clarification and interpretation will most likely declare when he or she is ready to make a commitment.
- Encouraging and Challenging to Accept Christ
2 Timothy 4:1-5—Encourage and challenge to make a decision.
- Fervor
Unlike Ecclesiastes 3:1 (For everything there is a season…) in 2 Timothy, we have our own passion for Christ that leads us to a compassionate fervor in encouraging others.
- Convince, Reproach, Encourage, Teach with Patience
All ways in which we can aid in bringing others to Christ.
- Some Respond, Some Do Not
When we encourage and challenge, some will respond and some will not. Paul, Timothy and even Jesus experienced this.
- The Individual’s Decision
In the end, it is the individual who decides to follow Christ of his or her free will. There is no room for coercion or manipulation in this decision. If we do, there’s a lack of validity. There comes a time when all we can do is to pray.
Discipleship
Evangelism and discipleship are the two essential emphases of youth ministry. All that we do falls within one or the other of these two areas. In evangelism we are concerned with youth who have not yet made an initial faith commitment; our aim is to bring them to the point of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In discipleship we are concerned with youth who have made that commitment; our aim is to enable them to live more fully as Christ’s disciples in the world. Disciples are both learners and followers. We learn more about the person, the teachings and the meaning of Jesus Christ. We follow Christ to live more in accordance with the spirit of Christ. It is a life-long process until we die.
Discipleship is more than participating in spiritual disciplines. It doesn’t necessarily take place in solitude but it is in relationship with others in the church, in community. This is building up the Body of Christ.
Three Key Elements of Discipleship with Youth
- Deepening Spiritual Life
Continue development of the individual’s personal relationship with Christ. In Acts 2:41-42, Peter said, “Each one of you must turn away from his sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven.” In Acts 2:42, “They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meal and prayers.”
1. Foundation
New disciples met together to learn together, grow in their relationship with God, pray like prayer played a central role in Jesus’ life. Our relationship with God provides the foundation for our living s disciples.
2. Learning, Fellowship, Worship, Prayer
Acts 2 suggests 4 key features of deepening spiritual life are learning, fellowship, worship, and prayer.
3. Community
There is a communal experience of the early Christians. Focus on corporate worship with youth to sense the presence of the Holy Spirit.
4. Spiritual Disciplines
Deepening faith happens through the development of personal spiritual disciplines. Some are: Prayer, Bible study, meditation, fasting, solitude, submission, and service (Richard Foster).
- Equipping
In Ephesians 4:11-12, disciples are equipped from training, study and skill development. The purposes are to do the “work of ministry” and to build up “the body of Christ.” These purposes require knowledge (the things we need to know) and skills (the things we need to be able to do).
- Gifts
The ministry of equipping begins with helping youth understand and use their gifts. In Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12, the Bible makes it clear that we all have God-given gifts that are to be used in building up the Body of Christ. All of us. God-given gifts is the essence of who we are as persons or the very essence of who God intends us to be. Our God-given gifts are called out by others since many of us may not be able to see them ourselves. The church has great potential to call gifts forth and benefits from the gifts God has given to each of us. The church becomes the place to use and develop our gifts. Youth often bring the gift of “trying” both experimentation as well as demanding. They ask the question, “Why?” In the church, gifts can also be used for building up the Body of Christ.
Share my one gift: seeing connections.
- Knowledge
Equipping involves acquiring knowledge. We need to know about the Bible, our faith heritage, basic awareness of Christian theology so that we would be able to share it and live it effectively. We also need to know ourselves: how we relate to others, how we think, our strengths and weaknesses. We need knowledge about our world—if we hope to change the world in the name of Christ.
- Skill
We need to be able to do things as disciples. Developing skills to lead Bible study, preach, teach, give a testimony, encouragement, share the Good News, to pray. There are leadership skills: how to organize, work with groups, resolving conflicts, planning, designing, and leading.
- Ministering
Ministering is the ultimate aim of the other 5 elements. Ministering includes mission, service, witnessing, evangelizing, social action, and leadership within the church and in the world. In James 1:22-25, we are to be “doers of the word and not hearers only…”
- Action
Through ministering, the commitment youth have made in Jesus Christ comes alive in their lives. They become Christ’s representatives here on earth.
- God’s Mission
Youth become active participants in the mission of God. We move beyond ministry to youth and into ministry with youth. They are the “younger laity” of the church.
- Equipped More Fully
Through involvement in ministering, youth learn more deeply, are equipped more fully. They become both “hearers” and “doers.” This integration brings integrity and builds up confidence.
- Growth Through Service to Others
In serving others we ourselves grow most profoundly. In Mark 8:34-35, Jesus said, “If anyone wants to come with me…he must forget himself, carry his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his own life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for me and the gospel will save it.” No amount of attention given solely to themselves and their own needs will bring the fulfillment that Jesus talks about. They will find fulfillment when they serve others.
Doing Evangelism and Discipleship Together
We don’t do evangelism and discipleship separately. The diagram is not hierarchical or sequential in describing a path that one must follow. The breaks in the dividing lines within the circles indicate an integrated fashion. For example, when one is “presenting the gospel” to some, others at the same time, may be “clarifying and interpreting.”
The diagram also suggests that youth who are growing in faith as moving toward the center of the circle. Those near the outer edges are those who have just been touched by the church’s ministry of evangelism, while those in the center are deeply involved in the life of the disciple.
Conclusion
- Youth Ministry is central to the vitality of the church.
- Youth as the younger laity are active disciples in God’s mission.
- Enabling youth to accept Christ as Lord and Savior includes identifiable steps by the church and its leaders.